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Sunlight greeted him the first step he made out of the cave from the mountains. The sound of primordial shrieks came resonating across a pure blue sky as he breathed in the air and gazed across the canvas of deep lush green as far as the horizon, where it ended upon a mute sliver of the great sea. Oddclaw turned his head back and waved his hand with a smile.

[i]"Brother? The sun is out."[/i]

Stepping from the dark of the Dry Mountain, Barkclaw shivered with a warmth growing across his back as his eyes blinked against the sky.

[i]"The hairless are leaving today?"[/i] he asked.

[i]"Yes,"[/i] Oddclaw nodded, [i]"come, they are waiting for us."[/i]

[i]"Alright."[/i] With a heavy yawn the feral shook his neck. [i]"Thank you for...sleeping the night with me."[/i]

[i]"It is fine."[/i] He smooched his head. [i]"Are you alright?"[/i]

[i]"I...I will be. Let us go."[/i]

They walked down the mountain and stepped through the forests, feeling somewhat younger and stronger than they had been the past few days. The sun shone that bit brighter, the leaves felt that bit warmer against their scales as they hurried faster towards the nesting grounds. The raptors were all abuzz with activity as they barked and chirped towards the large gleaming spacecraft that sat upon the grassy plains to the west where a gaggle of humans and reploids and badniks stood, trying to fend off the shrieking questions.

[i]"Are you really going home?!"[/i]

[i]"But where is it?!"[/i]

[i]"Do you have to fly so far away?!"[/i]

"Yes, in the future, and not really," said Kevin tugging his collar, "I know I'll miss you all too."

[i]"And I will have no one to speak of the moon about,"[/i] said Moonclaw shaking her head, [i]"I fear I will go mad without anyone else!"[/i]

"You have your husband don't you, I mean BOTH of you been to the moon."

[i]"Indeed we have!"[/i]

Oddclaw came sprinting up as he kissed his wife, his son and daughter alongside him with his brother and one of his sisters.

[i]"I thank you for all of your help,"[/i] Fishclaw bowed to them, [i]"we will never forget your friendship for as long as this tribe remains."[/i]

"And I hope you guys live long and prosper," Andrea did an odd gesture splitting four fingers into two, "you've done more than enough tolerating our existence."

[i]"Don't say that, we love you!"[/i] Skyfang shrieked.

[i]"You made the daythh more fun,"[/i] added Oddtooth, [i]"and we learned many thingth from each other!"[/i]

[i]"He is right,"[/i] Eggfang purred, [i]"are you all ready to leave?"[/i]

"Just about," Andrea rubbed her arms, "I'll be honest, I'm worried about this portal, I really didn't think that I'd be accepting help from this...Noh'jhin guy, you said?"

"Yeah I'm not sure either," said Amy taking Kevin's hand, "honestly I didn't even think we'd be going to anywhere else with humans."

[i]"He has promised me,"[/i] Oddclaw nodded, [i]"our home will be safe, our friends can live here in peace and you can return home without fear."[/i]

"Glad to hear," Kevin sighed, "I mean, it's going to be a bit weird taking all these robots back buuut-"

"Government secret," Andrea tapped her nose, "we got this sorted one way or another, get ourselves back to the year we left, I mean sure we're all a hell of a lot older but yanno, we all got everything fixed and you said Noh'jhin's setting the fossil record straight."

[i]"He will,"[/i] Oddclaw tapped his chest, [i]"he cannot lie to us, or else."[/i]

"Sounds all a bit convenient dunnit?!"

A voice boomed from the back of the ship as Holt came lumbering past the crowd.

"Ah mean, not that ahm ungrateful but, still seems rather all nicely wrapped up too easy dontcha think-"

"Do not question it," Chanoch waved his finger beside him, "if you only seek cake, you lose your bread."

"You fuckin' pullin' proverbs on me now?!"

"Yes."

"Well ah gots me a proverb fer you but ah'd rather not say it in polite company."

"Did not stop you before."

The two smirked at each other as Holt stepped down the ramp, meeting Oddclaw with a warm embrace as the soldier breathed deep in his scent. Following them from the Petrie's depths they saw in turn the face of Schroeder, nervously rubbing his face as he asked:

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes," said Chanoch turning back, "I wish to live here, in peace."

"Sum people just don't fit," Jeremy shrugged, "never been happier than when ah wuz with Oddie, an' if that means I end up a hermit then that's done."

"I understand," Amy nodded clasping hands, "I can tell both of you are very content with this choice."

"I still don't get it but you do you," Kevin shrugged, "like those people that go to Antarctica, yanno."

"I just hope I won't be out of place," said Arnold leaning against the wall, "I feel scared, like I know this world will be different and much better than mine but...what if something happens-"

"Stop." Andrea grabbed his hand. "Don't torture yourself."

"I just wish I...could have said goodbye to Jacob."

"I am sorry," Oddclaw walked up to him, "he wanted to say goodbye too, but he is home with his father. I wish we could-"

"No. I understand." He took a deep breath and clutched his chest. "I just have to embrace a new life, unlearn all that I took and instead just think what Jacob would do. I know he would want me to face a new future."

"An' you'll do a bang-up job," said Jeremy giving a thumbs up, "issat everythin' now?"

"Not quite."

Amy wagged her finger and stepped to the side as the reploids walked forth handing Chanoch and Jeremy a few special boxes. One was very clearly in the shape of a guitar, whilst another was full of books that had been slightly singed.

"Just something for you guys to enjoy yourselves whilst living your hermit life."

"Whuh-...awwww pet that...th-that's dead lovely of ya!" Jeremy sniffed.

"But...I lost my guitar," Chanoch shook his head.

"We made you a new one!" said a drill-mole badnik.

"Just a thanks for all the concerts," said a reploid tiger, "it's solar-powered as well so you won't run outta battery."

"I...th-thank you."

"And one last gift."

Andrea stepped forth to offer Chanoch an old-looking book with a cracked grey cover that his eyes widened upon. A tear escaped him as he nodded and took it in his hands.

"Thank you...Andrea."

"I hope you two live a good life here," she patted his hand, "there's a couple spare translation collars in that box with the books too, just so talking with the locals is easier."

"I might learn their language."

"Oh sod off," Jeremy scoffed, "bloody show off you are speakin' five languages-"

"Six," Jarogniew grinned.

"Wotever, just long as ah can speak with me dab," he pulled Oddclaw close to give him a smooch as the raptor blushed.

"I am so happy you want to stay with me," said Oddclaw back, "even if I worry how you will live here."

"You just lemme handle that, got that cave with all our supplies still thurr beneath the Skylands."

"Should we not take them with us?" Kevin raised a finger.

"Noh'jhin has said nothing you leave here will harm you," said the raptor, "you are fine."

"Thank god, I think I wiped a booger on a rock at least once here."

"Kevin!" Andrea readied to slap him when he ducked cackling. "Anyways, we're all ready to leave?"

"//WAIT!//"

From the back of the raptors there came a moblin, tall and black like a mountain of basalt as they parted with chirring clicks, the grand looming Mobenheim speaking in Hylian with a curtsy.

"//As acting chief of the Mohberrin tribe, I came to wish you farewell, and to thank you for all your assistance.//"

"I'm sorry again about your village," Andrea bowed switching translator modes, "will you be alright here?"

"//We plan to return to our former home and rebuild.//"

"In that case how about we give you the rest of our translators so you can ask Oddie for help?"

"//I would be grateful for such ease of communication, Dr. Dixon.//"

"Alright...so, is that everything?"

"Yep," Amy nodded swishing her tail, "Noh'jhin's getting rid of all the nazi ships right?"

"He will get rid of them," said Oddclaw nodding, "none of us want them here."

"Or anywhere," Schroeder sighed, "I am...I'm sorry again for all the horrors that hap-"

"Ey man, no." Kevin grabbed his shoulder. "That's not you, you ain't one of them fascists."

"Still, it was my world-"

"And now it's not, when we get back I'm taking you to the best pizza place in Houston."

"That's impossible," Andrea shook her head, "Houston has no good pizza."

"Oh you're going to eat those words I'll take you too!"

"Hahahahaha...oh, Oddie, um, before I leave."

She pulled something from her other coat pocket.

"I uh...so, this was in a safe, in Jane's room, it was kept safe from the damage. I didn't realise until later why."

There was a colourful book that made Oddclaw's heart turn stiff. His hands trembled as he saw the charming elephant on the front, holding a small dandelion in its trunk. Chanoch clutched his mouth in turn as the raptor took it.

"H-horton...she...she kept it-"

"Look inside."

He opened the book to find the inside cover had something written within.

[i]A friend is a friend, no matter how far apart.[/i]

[i]- Jane[/i]

The soft dapple of teardrops landed on the book as he closed it quickly, brushing his eyes as he suddenly grabbed Andrea in a hug.

"Th-thank you."

She was surprised but quickly hugged him back.

"Thank you...Andrea."

She nodded quietly before they parted, as Kevin hugged Oddclaw next and the crew started to wave the raptors off as the ship departed. The tribe all cried their goodbyes with a resounding call to the wilds of the sea, the Petrie reaching to the stars and the moon where their portal home awaited at last, as the raptors soon dispersed back to their nests.

"You alrigh' dab?"

Holt wrapped his arm around Oddclaw.

"Y-yes." He looked back to him. "I am fine."

"Would you like me to keep the book safe?" Chanoch asked.

"That would be good, thank you. I do not think books do well in the wild."

"Hmhm, no." He carefully put the Horton book into the box of tomes. "You can come see me anytime you want to read it with me."

"Thank you Chanoch. Um, Jeremy?"

"Aye?"

"...I won't need this anymore."

The raptor pulled off his holster and offered his shotgun back with a to Holt. The old soldier gasped with a shake of his head and tried to push it back.

"O-oddie, naw, that were a gift-"

"I know. But...I am giving this back to you, it was your father's-"

"You don' have to do that, c'mon, you need it."

"No. I do not. I have my family. You do not. Please, protect yourself with it."

The look in Oddclaw's eyes told him everything as Jeremy nodded quietly, taking the gun to strap it on his belt with a sigh.

"You sure about this?"

"I am sure, yes." Oddclaw patted his hand and gave him a smooch. "I will come see you as well."

"You better, don't leave me hanging. 'Sides, me an' Chanoch are gonna shack up in thuh caves, them Mohberrin lot are still thurr so might as well keep 'em company before they head back."

"We will see each other again." Chanoch offered his hand to shake. "You are welcome anytime."

"Thank you," Oddclaw shook his in turn, "I am glad you stayed with us Chanoch."

As the soldiers departed to the northeast, heading to the old landing shore for the Roaring Caves, Oddclaw wandered back to his brothers who stood waiting with his family back at the nest.

[i]"Did you say goodbye?"[/i] he asked Barkclaw.

[i]"I did,"[/i] he purred closely, [i]"they are gone, forever?"[/i]

[i]"Yes, but they are happy and well."[/i]

[i]"That is good."[/i]

[i]"Uncle Barkclaw?"[/i]

He turned towards Oddtooth with his gleaming fang.

[i]"I found thome crawlerth in a cave nearby, wanna come thee?"[/i]

[i]"OH, yes, show me, I would love to see!"[/i]

[i]"I will see you both later."[/i]

Oddclaw patted them both as they raced off to the west, Fishclaw pulling his brother aside as they walked back towards the alpha's standing stones.

[i]"I have spoken with the stonetail tribe,"[/i] he began, [i]"after they returned from the stars with you."[/i]

[i]"What did you tell them?"[/i]

[i]"That so long as they do not fight us, we shall not fight them and that we are willing to forget about the actions of their alpha before if they continue to leave us in peace."[/i]

[i]"Did they...believe in her?"[/i]

[i]"Some of them, but they were not going to argue against the tribe who killed her in battle and destroyed the stoneflyers."[/i]

[i]"I see,"[/i] Oddclaw furrowed his brow, [i]"what of Sunscreech? You met him yes."[/i]

[i]"He is coming with his family."[/i]

Eggfang walked up beside them as they reached the stone hill.

[i]"He is still banished, but we agreed that his children could come and see us."[/i]

[i]"We cannot forgive him for what he did to you and Barkclaw,"[/i] said the alpha nuzzling Odd, [i]"if you wish for him to return-"[/i]

[i]"I do not care what he did to me,"[/i] he shook his head, [i]"but I will never forgive him for making our brother suffer."[/i]

[i]"I agree. That said, it would be good for mother to see him yes, just outside of our home?"[/i]

[i]"I think so yes. She would be happy to know she is a grandmother again."[/i]

[i]"That was my thought too,"[/i] Eggfang purred swishing her tail, [i]"we thought after Stonevoice had died, it would not be right to frighten Barkclaw more."[/i]

[i]"Thank you."[/i]

[i]"That reminds me,"[/i] hi brother nudged him, [i]"when our brother returns home, can you help me take the longsnouts home when they are ready?"[/i]

[i]"Of course. I am certain Jeremy and Chanoch would like the Roaring Caves to be their new home."[/i]

[i]"That is a good idea! I shall ask if they want."[/i]

[i]"Just tell your mate first,"[/i] Eggfang nipped his cheek, [i]"she might get jealous otherwise."[/i]

[i]"UH, wh-what do you mean, she knows we are good friends!"[/i]

[i]"You still have a duty to please your mate, even I know that."[/i]

[i]"Of course I know that!"[/i]

[i]"Then why are you nervous?"[/i] Fishclaw purred close to his head.

[i]"S-stop, stop treating me like a child!"[/i] he pushed them both away.

[i]"Hmhmhahaha, still our baby brother."[/i]

A lull in the tribal grounds soon came a few hours later, the raptors returning slowly to their regular lives with emptier nests as guards kept posted on the western reach. The sun was shining, the dragonflies skimmed across the winds that rose from the sea that crashed against the cliffs from the southern brink. From the other side of the plains, a black-and-green raptor trudged through the long grass with a gaggle of tails swishing around him, with another raptor half-cast in steel with a glowing red eye and sharp metal talons.

[i]"Issit here?!"[/i]

[i]"Yes,"[/i] said Radium, [i]"now everyone be polite and do whatever they tell you."[/i]

[i]"Okaaaay!"[/i]

[i]"I wish they would let you back,"[/i] Earthfang said, [i]"can you really not come in with us?"[/i]

[i]"It is for the best,"[/i] Sunscreech shook his head, [i]"do not worry about me."[/i]

[i]"But I always do!"[/i]

[i]"I know."[/i] He chuckled nuzzling her. [i]"Stop. We are here."[/i]

They waited on the periphery where a scent border laid, the old familiar scents of his family reaching across to him as Radium stopped with his family in turn.

[i]"They're not, going to hurt us after everything right?"[/i] asked his mate.

[i]"We spoke with their alpha before, I think it was your sister yes Sunscreech?"[/i]

[i]"It was,"[/i] he nodded licking his lips, [i]"I have not seen her in a while, but we can trust her."[/i]

[i]"You always can."[/i]

A voice came from the east as a familiar red-backed beast came approaching with his guard, his eyes of silver glimmering in the sun.

[i]"I am the alpha of the Hunters' Nest. I welcome you, stonetails."[/i]

[i]"I'm Radium,"[/i] the ultraraptor bowed, [i]"I apologise again for the actions of our pack, our leader she-"[/i]

[i]"Eggfang had already told me all your apologies from your new alpha, it is fine. We have no anger towards you, especially when all we fought were stone fakes."[/i]

[i]"Heheh, that does help, but if there's anything we can do to set things right for you-"[/i]

[i]"Well, firstly why not bring your family in?"[/i] He motioned turning his head. [i]"We have fresh meat from the morning hunt to share."[/i]

[i]"That sounds great, thank you alpha."[/i]

All but one of the raptors went into the nesting grounds, led by the guards who directed them through between families, with Earthfang looking behind her once more to see her father stand apart. She tried to say something, but her brother pulled her with a hard nip of her arm.

[i]"Come oooon sis we wanna meet our cousins!"[/i]

[i]"A-alright, alright."[/i]

[i]"Have fun children!"[/i] cried Sunscreech. [i]"Play nice with your cousins!"[/i]

Dashing off towards Oddclaw's nest, weaving through the other families as the guards corralled them towards the lake shore, Earthfang chirped when she saw Skyfang clambering up the trees.

[i]"H-hello! Nice to see you again!"[/i]

[i]"HEY!"[/i] She leapt from the branch and landed in a fast roll to peck her cheek. [i]"How ya doing, I was waiting for ya!"[/i]

[i]"I am good, thank you!"[/i]

[i]"Hello there Earthfang,"[/i] Oddclaw waved to her from the nest, [i]"was the journey long?"[/i]

[i]"Yes...I have never seen so many places, your home is beautiful."[/i]

[i]"Hahah, thank you. I have someone I want you to meet, with your siblings too."[/i]

[i]"Oh, who?"[/i]

[i]"Can I play with her first father?!"[/i] Skyfang nipped up at him. [i]"We can do all that stuff later right?!"[/i]

[i]"Hmhmhm, alright,"[/i] he petted them both, [i]"I will let her know, and then we can all go meet uncle Sunscreech, yes?"[/i]

[i]"Okay! Earthy you want me to teach ya how to climb?!"[/i]

[i]"U-um, alright, yes!"[/i]

[i]"SO, first thing you gotta do, is you put your claws in like this!"[/i]

Demonstrating for her cousin, she dug her claws into the base of the tree and pushed her legs up with a grab of her teeth clenching on a branch above. The mottled raptor of brown and green tried to do the same, falling off a few times but with an eager patient teacher, she soon figured out the right grip and scrabbled her way up to the first branch in a struggle. Radium approached the father and wife who sat watching their daughter play, the cybernetic beast clinking with every step.

[i]"I know that...my pack have done unspeakable things to you and your family."[/i]

[i]"What matters is she is dead,"[/i] Moonclaw slitted her eyes, [i]we will say no more on that."[/i]

[i]"I've spoken with Tesla, our new leader, and we're all in agreement that we just want to be left alone and enjoy our new life in peace. That was all we ever wanted, but Ri-...she, was not satisfied with just that."[/i]

[i]"I know,"[/i] Oddclaw tightened his grimace, [i]"but as my mate said, what is done is done. I do not hate your tribe, I only hated her."[/i]

[i]"Hmm. It's weird."[/i] He sat down beside them. [i]"We never had family to teach us anything, we don't know all the rules about how raptors should act, we're the first generation of something that, was all mixed in a lab with a glass tube and we're expected to be good at it."[/i]

[i]"You raised a good family, you managed yes?"[/i]

[i]"But...is that enough?"[/i]

[i]"We think it is,"[/i] Moonclaw licked her mate's cheek, [i]"this was our first family too, we had help but we managed well."[/i]

[i]"Hm. I guess we'll manage too."[/i]

He smiled watching his own children meet with the locals, squawking and shrieking with their games as they raced into the lake and splashed about in the paddles with other raptors. The sun slowly sank towards the horizon, as Oddclaw asked Earthfang to gather her siblings and head back to her father for a special meet.

[i]Did you have fun?"[/i] Sunscreech asked the approaching youths.

[i]"It was GREAT!"[/i] his son shrieked. [i]"There's a BIG lake, an' we all splashed each other, a-an' Earthfang climbed up trees!"[/i]

[i]"Really?"[/i] he side-eyed her as she giggled. [i]"Well, that means the flyers will not be safe around our home, hmhmhah."[/i]

[i]"Oddclaw said he was bringing someone to meet you father,"[/i] his daughter replied.

[i]"I know who it iiiiis,"[/i] her sister wagged her tail, [i]"but it's a secret, you have to wait!"[/i]

[i]"Then wait I shall,"[/i] he snorted pecking her head, [i]"I am glad you had fun."[/i]

[i]"Can we come back again?!"[/i]

[i]"Of course, maybe the cycle after."[/i]

The sound of approaching footsteps signalled them to the familiar shape of his brother, trudging up the hill through the grass as he waved to Sunscreech who sniffed back at him. Behind him was a much older raptor, her soft wrinkled scales turned to a much paler yellow like parchment, with eyes of hazel that reflected the same as Sunscreech's own single eye.

[i]"Is...is that...no."[/i]

Oddclaw nodded to her as she stepped closer.

[i]"And...are those...his?"[/i]

He led her towards his half-brother. Earthfang sniffed the air closer seeing the elder approach as she tried to keep her siblings back who were starting to get antsy, with Sunscreech standing tall above them. His mother shook her head astonished, almost frightened as she inched towards the group with her banished son closing the gap.

[i]"Hello mother. I am...happy to see you again."[/i]

[i]"Oh...wh-what...what happened?"[/i]

[i]"The...Riptor. She did."[/i]

Her face turned bitter for a moment, looking to Oddclaw as he nodded understanding. She walked up to him fully and sniffed over his face to regain his scent, a soft whimper escaping her lips as she started to nuzzle him, trying to avoid the cold steel of his face as the scarlet gleam of his eye shone on her face. Shuddering with tearful gasp, Barren licked over his snout and panted against his side as Sunscreech sighed with a strange peace.

[i]"I am alright mother...I am fine, I...I have a family."[/i]

[i]"R-really? Is..."[/i] she looked to the youths, [i]"is this them?"[/i]

[i]"Yes. This is Earthfang, my daughter."[/i]

[i]"H-hello,"[/i] she bowed humbly, [i]"it is...wonderful to meet you at last, grandmother."[/i]

[i]"O-oh, oh dear it certainly is, what a sweet polite thing you are."[/i]

[i]"Better than my siblings,"[/i] she giggled before one of them nipped her face, [i]"father told me many things about you."[/i]

[i]"All of them good I hope,"[/i] she looked to Sunscreech who snickered back at her, [i]"did you enjoy being in our nest? I was sleeping so I missed all the fun."[/i]

[i]"Oh I loved it, I want to come back, but we could talk for a while before we leave, if you want?"[/i]

[i]"I would love that dear."[/i] She sat herself down with an ancient creak. [i]"Nnnngh, goodness I have not walked this far in a while haha, remember when you and your brother Oddclaw had that race?"[/i]

[i]"Yes,"[/i] Sunscreech smiled to him, [i]"and I won if I remember."[/i]

[i]"You want to race again?"[/i] Oddclaw puffed his chest with spreading arms. [i]"I am much stronger now than when we were young."[/i]

[i]"Hmhahahaha, is that a challenge?"[/i]

[i]"Only if you are not a coward."[/i]

He crossed his arms with a growing smirk as his brother chirred with intrigue.

[i]"From that stone there, and back again."[/i]

[i]"I will count!"[/i] Barren shouted. [i]"First one who comes back to me is the winner!"[/i]

The two turned and waited facing towards the stone as Sunscreech's children stepped to the side in wait. The mother cried out as they shot for the distance, pounding legs and swishing tails that split the grass apart as the audience shrieked with excitement. Earthfang shouted her father's name in squeals beside her siblings who were stamping their feet for him. Oddclaw smiled at Sunscreech who gave a soft bark back to him, thundering through the reeds as they reached the stone and kicked off its side to rebound fast back to their mother. No one remembered who won, nor did anyone care as the family gathered round Barren to listen to her stories, as well as the more fun tales of what their father had been up to in his youth.

Over the next few days, life would soon return to as normal as can be for the raptors, after the Mohberrin villagers departed back west to their former home with help from the waterjaws in gathering materials and Oddclaw correlating between groups to aid reconstruction. Chanoch and Jeremy chose to live in the Roaring Caves for the sake of ease in access as well as the proximity to Oddclaw's home, with some of the supplies from the old hangar below the Skylands being taken for themselves with the Flyers' assistance in carrying them over the sea. But Oddclaw was nervous, his constant fretting noticed by his family as he tried to busy himself with tasks ranging from hunting to checking on his friends, pacing himself in a circle as he looked down on the ring of his finger. The star of gold with beady little eyes, shining upon a black opal surface in its own little bubble as he rubbed his head frantically.

[i]"Is this how mother felt every day?"[/i] he gasped clutching his face. [i]"No, no he would not lie to me, not after all we had been through, he would not give me something so precious as this to lie about it surely!? Haaaah...I am losing my mind-"[/i]

[i]"Oddclaw?"[/i]

He heard Moonclaw approaching from behind.

[i]"Are you alright?"[/i]

[i]"I am...well, no."[/i]

The old grey raptor slinked up to his side and nuzzled against his chest. He pulled her head closer to smooch along the snout as she stared at the ring.

[i]"That shining stone has bothered you ever since you returned."[/i]

[i]"My father promised, that he would return, but now I am worried."[/i]

He sat himself upon a rock as she put her head on his shoulder.

[i]"Am I...a fool for trusting him?"[/i]

[i]"After all you had told me, no I do not think so."[/i] She sniffed over his cheek. [i]"I believe in him too, surely you would have known by now he would not be trusted if he could not be."[/i]

[i]"I...I hope so. I do not want to be like mother is, still waiting."[/i]

[i]"Then if you must wait, I shall wait with you."[/i]

So they waited together. Oddclaw thumbed over the ring still feeling a strange warmth that soothed him with the scent of his father. The night would pass as they slept with their family, as a new dawn greeted them and with it a strange sound.

[i]"B-brother!"[/i]

Oddclaw heard the frantic voice of Barkclaw from the woods.

[i]"Brother, s-something is coming!"[/i]

[i]"What, where?"[/i]

[i]"This way, come!"[/i]

Hurrying through he was joined by his children and mate who all ran together, following the mottled raptor to the source of the noise that was swirling through the folds of space. In a small clearing they saw something strangely familiar, a tear of reality, a cold shimmering line that slowly pulled the air apart.

[i]"Cold, fire?!"[/i]

[i]"Is it another starbeast?!"[/i]

[i]"Stay back,"[/i] Oddclaw put his hand out across, [i]"do not attack unless I say so."[/i]

The folds began to part as a gentle roar filled their ears, sending a burning cold vibration as they saw the depths of space from within, a black eternal abyss where stars could not reach as something emerged. A brown-scaled arm with black claws that forced itself out and stumbled into the leaves.

"GA-AAAGH, SHIT!"

The tear receded, crackling to a spark that blipped in the breeze as they stared upon the fallen creature who went face first in the dirt. With a yellow backpack over a polo shirt and a pair of jeans, he pushed himself up as Oddclaw gasped with a trembling joy.

[i]"You...y-you are here!"[/i]

"Oh, nice I landed right in front of ya."

Stepping onto his feet was James Kennidon née Campbell, brushing the dirt off his knees and taking a deep breath.

"Heyyy son," he waved to the group still looking astonished, "I uh, sorry about taking so long Noh'jhin had to do a lotta weird shit behind the scenes, he told me to tell you that your world's all fine now and nothing's gonna bother it ever again."

[i]"Is...is that..."[/i] Moonclaw shifted to her mate, [i]"is that him?"[/i]

[i]"He looks JUST like father!"[/i] hissed Skyfang.

[i]"Tho...that, ith our grandfather?"[/i] murmured Oddtooth.

"Yes." Oddclaw patted their heads. "That...that is your grandfather, Oddscar."

He walked up to James and pulled the ring off his finger.

"I believe this is yours, father."

The elder grinned taking it back to slide it on his claw.

"I told you right? I wasn't gonna lose this, it's precious to me."

"Thank you for trusting me with it...and for coming here."

"No prob...so!"

He swung his arms looking all around him before settling on the raptors.

"This place is...really nice, very peaceful, they your friends?"

"This is my family." He brought something out from his satchel. "Please, put this on."

"Wait, a collar?" James took it suspicious. "Whassit do, cuz I'm not into that stuff."

"The humen left them for me, so you can speak with us."

"Oh like a translator? Alright."

Clipping it round his neck as the crystals gleamed around its edge, James tapped it carefully as he felt a slight clench round his throat before his son spoke in a much different tone.

[i]"Can you understand me?"[/i]

"W-woah! You sound way different now."

[i]"Yes, hmhmhm, this is my true voice, when not speaking the hairless tongue. Brother, children...my mate."[/i]

Oddclaw stepped aside and swept his hand.

[i]"Do you want to greet him too?"[/i]

The oldest raptor came first, greeting her equally-aged father-in-law with a gentle sniff and gleaming red eyes.

[i]"I am the One Who Claws at the Moon. It is good to finally meet you, Oddscar."[/i]

"Uhh, same!" He tried to shake her claws. "So you're his wife?"

[i]"Yes, for many cycles. He was waiting for you so long."[/i]

"Yeaaaah I know I know I'm not gonna hear the end of it, I'm really sorry."

[i]"Oh, not as sorry as you will be, my children are very curious."[/i]

[i]"HI!"[/i]

A pale-brown raptor with startling green eyes nipped at his hand.

[i]"I'm the Fang That Pierces the Sky!"[/i]

"Hah, wow you look just like your dad!"

[i]"Heehee, yeah, you know how to climb trees?!"[/i]

"Yeah actually, I used to climb stuff all the time when I was younger, kicking off walls and stuff."

[i]"OOOH, really?! HEY FATHER, YOU HEAR THAT?!"[/i]

[i]"Yeeees I did,"[/i] Oddclaw palmed his face, [i]"so it really does come from my family."[/i]

[i]"I told you,"[/i] Moonclaw bit his cheek, [i]"I told you and you thought I was being silly."[/i]

[i]"Hello, grandfather."[/i]

Another youthful raptor approached, of ashen grey and a single green eye with two prominent bucktoothed fangs.

[i]"I am the One With The Odd Tooth."[/i]

"Awwww...damn you're cute." He patted the raptor who snorted back. "So I...really am a grandfather huh?"

[i]"Yeth...do you want to thee our home?"[/i]

"Oh totally, I meant to say uh, Oddclaw? I'm staying here for a week, if that's okay."

[i]"Oh, that is good!"[/i] Oddclaw grinned.

"Oh by the way," James pulled out a small black rectangle from his pack, "Jacob let me borrow one of his cameras, he said he wanted me to take some shots of you, just to remember you by, is that okay?"

[i]"Oh, I see, yes that is fine."[/i] He then looked to Barkclaw. [i]"Brother...do you want to say hello?"[/i]

He said nothing, shaking his head slightly at first, but then something gleamed in his eyes and he stood up firm before marching up to James. At its full height a feral male was 8 feet, the dull-brown raptor hissing with a nervous tic before bending down and nuzzling against James' chest.

[i]"I...I am the One Who Claws At Bark...you smell like my brother."[/i]

"Iiii uh, hope that's a good thing," he moved his hands away trying not to touch him, "I dunno if you guys got a shower."

[i]"You smell nice. I like you."[/i]

"Well I'd hope so since, I'm your dad right?"

[i]"Yes...father."[/i]

Barkclaw kept sniffing over him to the point he almost bowled over, causing the family to giggle until he stood back up and he was led back to the Hunters' Nest. The smell was overpowering, his snout creasing from the sweltering musk of dozens of raptors who all turned their heads at once with a frightening sync. The nests were much empiter now than they had been as he noticed several pits without anyone in them, wondering briefly until Oddclaw guided him to one closer pit.

[i]"Is that...who is that?"[/i]

[i]"Looks just like Oddclaw."[/i]

[i]"C-can it be? I remember our alpha before speaking of him-"[/i]

[i]"Surely not, it has been many cycles!"[/i]

[i]"Oddclaw."[/i]

Two raptors approached, both with scales maroon as the male had silver eyes and a dominating presence, whilst the female had striking eyes of pale blue and a single bucktoothed fang.

[i]"Is...is this him?"[/i]

[i]"Yes,"[/i] Oddclaw nodded, [i]"this is my father."[/i]

The male sniffed over him before reaching up to his full height.

[i]"I am the alpha of this tribe. I welcome you back...Oddscar."[/i]

"Oh...thank you, you uh...you know my name huh?"

[i]"I remember you, back when I was a child...you saved our lives from the greatbeast."[/i]

[i]"Our mother has waited for you,"[/i] Eggfang bowed, [i]"I am the Fang Who Births from the Egg, I am Oddclaw's sister, but not your child."[/i]

"Ahhh, I getcha." James rubbed his head. "So uh, where is the lady of the hour?"

[i]"There,"[/i] she pointed with her snout to the nest, [i]"she is sleeping, please be gentle. She is very old-"[/i]

[i]"Um..."[/i]

He turned to hear a plaintive voice, much to Oddclaw's surprise as he stepped forward.

[i]"Oh...Leaf."[/i]

A sombre-looking female stepped forth with two red-feathered raptors behind her. Her eyes gleamed of hazel and emerald, a soft tremble in her throat as she shuffled up towards James and sniffed him.

[i]"H-hi...are you really...father?"[/i]

"Yeah," he stroked her gently, "nice to meet you."

[i]"I...I'm...the Runner of the Leaves...hah, you, you look just like my baby brother."[/i]

"Hahah, thanks...you got really pretty eyes."

[i]"Th-thanks...my sister's was prettier."[/i]

"Oh...I'm sorry."

The father hugged his daughter, carefully wrapping his arms round her neck as she shivered against his body, claws scritching on his chest as he stroked her cheek.

"I would've loved to meet her...you wanna come see your mom with me?"

[i]"O-okay."[/i]

Stepping back, they walked together to their nest as Oddclaw went in first to gently rouse his mother. In a faint glimmer from his past, James recognised this old beast from the depths of his mind, and the briefest scent of her body sparked something from the pits of his heart. A tear escaped him that he brushed off quick, as the aged raptor awoke with her necklace of two claws jangling over her chest.

[i]"A-ah...Oddclaw, what is it I am-..."[/i]

She blinked for a few seconds. Nothing was said as her breath caught in her throat, and James slowly stepped down into the nest and sat opposite of her.

"Hello...Barren."

The old mother looked to her son, trying to comprehend whether this was a dream or reality. The son licked her cheek to confirm it was real, which was the moment she broke down. A shiver ran through her neck, trembling down her spine as she started to weep with sobbing gasps when she turned to her former mate who shuffled closer to her. She closed the distance almost throwing herself to him, stumbling to his side and smothering his face with constant licks.

[i]"Y-you, you...y-y-you came back, you came back!"[/i]

"Yeah...I'm...I have a lot to tell you-"

[i]"No...not yet."[/i] She nuzzled his face. [i]"You...ohhh Oddscar, I always...I always believed you would return."[/i]

"I know," he sighed clutching her face, "there's been a lot that's happened, and the first thing I have to tell you-"

[i]"Oddscar but, we have so much-"[/i]

"Please. Let me say this. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about never coming back, and I'm sorry for you having to raise your kids all by yourself. I was wrong, I was selfish, and I came back too late to be any help. I failed you."

[i]"Oh...well,"[/i] she sighed with some relief, [i]"that is good to hear, I did have some things to tell you even if I am just relieved to see you again. But...but it has been so long, I always wondered, sometimes even hated the fact you left us for so long."[/i]

"And I'll hear everything you wanna tell me," he patted her side, "I'm here for a week, your son got me here, well our son I guess but yanno."

[i]"O-only? You are not staying?"[/i]

"That's what I wanna tell you. But don't worry, I am coming back, just more for visits to check up on everyone and do...what I should have done."

[i]"...alright."[/i]

She sat herself beside him and laid her head against his chest.

[i]"Tell me all that you have done, Oddscar."[/i]

For the next hour and a half, James explained all that he could in as easiest a fashion for Baren to digest. Oddclaw sometimes interjected to help steer things for the better, as the tribe listened to his tale crowded around the nest with fascination for his stories. The sun slowly peaked over their heads and the sky remained pure as she nuzzled his chest and breathed in his scent, her smile greater than anything they had seen as she almost dozed off back to sleep hearing his voice. But always she awoke a few minutes after when he chronicled another part of his adventures, his sons and daughter sitting with his grandchildren who listened with rapt attention.

"So there I was," James continued, "cold, hungry, drinking the snow from outside this old base, starving alone in a room full of bodies."

[i]"Why could you not eat the bodies?"[/i] asked Barren.

They were uh...too tough, they had like this hard shell on them, yeah. I was trapped in there for forty days, nothing to eat, starving away and well...I almost died."

[i]"Thank goodness you did not!"[/i] gasped Barren nuzzling him still. [i]"How did you survive?!"[/i]

"I was lucky," he shook his head, "a ship passed by and heard my call for help, they picked me up and saved me, fed me, also healed me cuz uh...this arm?"

He offered his left arm.

"It's actually not my real arm, these people in space made me a new one."

[i]"Really?! This..."[/i] she nipped at the flesh as the other raptors sniffed, [i]"it...does smell odd, but-"[/i]

[i]"Like the shining mountain!"[/i] Skyfang squeaked.

[i]"It is incredible,"[/i] Oddclaw shook his head, [i]"it looks just like your other arm but it does smell different."[/i]

"Yeah," his father shrugged, "sorry I'm talking your ear off I did tell you like a LOT."

[i]"I would love to hear more from you,"[/i] said Barren with a yawn, [i]"but...nnnngh I am starting to get tired, I am sorry."[/i]

"Oh no, no it's cool, you want me to let yo u sleep and we can talk another time?"

[i]"That would be nice...could you...stay with me as I sleep, just for a while?"[/i]

"Sure." James looked up to Oddclaw who smiled back. "I'll be right here, promise."

[i]"Thank you Oddscar."[/i] She nuzzled deeper into his lap. [i]"This...already feels like the best sleep...I ever had..."[/i]

Her eyes drifted before they closed, taking a deep breath and slipping off into slumber. James never moved from his seat as he stroked her head, letting her have her time as Oddclaw nodded with relief before he ushered the rest of his family away to play and left them be. He brought his father food to keep up his strength, the sun starting to set as he watched the horizon turn to a golden gleam. Sometime after, she woke up again, with the warmest eyes he had seen in this world as he kissed her snout, and she in turn licked his cheek.

"Evening."

[i]"Mmmmm...is it that late?"[/i]

"Yeah, sun's going down."

[i]"Ahhh...thank you for staying with me."[/i]

"No problem," he shifted himself up when she pulled away from him, "don't wanna make breaking promises a habit."

[i]"Hmhmhm...ahhh...I thought I would be more upset with you."[/i]

"You should be, and if you want to that's fine."

[i]"But honestly I am just happy you are safe, for all you have done for us."[/i] She licked his face. [i]"You are staying for a while, you said?"[/i]

"Yeah," James nodded stroking her, "I'll be here a few days, then I'll leave, then come back next month, we'll work it out alright?"

[i]"Thank you...I know you have another life now, even if it is still odd to think you are so...different from before."[/i]

"It's been a long time, I know that Barren. But, I'm here now, and I'll try to make your retirement years go by the best they can."

[i]"Hmhmhm, I am getting too old to hunt,"[/i] she smacked her lips, [i]"but you, you still look just...well, a little more pale, more muscle but...not too different from when I last saw you."[/i]

"Heheh, thanks, my hu-uhhh...friends, helped me a lot to keep me in shape."

[i]"You must have good friends. Just like Oddclaw did."[/i]

[i]"Mother?"[/i]

The son stepped up to the side of the nest with a chunk of meat in his hands.

[i]"Can I take father to see Seaclaw, before it is dark?"[/i]

[i]"Of course dear."[/i] She moved back and took the food from him. [i]"Thank you for bringing dinner, I will see you later Oddscar."[/i]

"Sure, no prob." James dusted off his shirt and climbed out the nest. "Be back in a bit, alrighty?"

She chirped with a little snorting grin as she tore through the meat, rending with her old teeth that looked still as sharp as ever, despite some yellowing like her scales as James followed Oddclaw through the woods and headed southeast.

"Did I do okay?" he asked.

[i]"Yes,"[/i] his son nodded, [i]"she was very happy."[/i]

"I was a bit worried when I told her I'm not staying forever."

[i]"She will understand, all she wanted was to see you again."[/i]

"You have an awesome family, you know that?" James rubbed his shoulder. "I never had one growing up, so you're real lucky to have a mom and siblings that care about you."

[i]"I know,"[/i] Oddclaw patted him, [i]"your stories are incredible, I cannot imagine how many you have fought and saved."[/i]

"Well from what I heard you've been up to some shit," he punched his shoulder gently, "looks like it runs in the family that trouble comes to us."

[i]"Hah, yes it must...what was it like travelling for so long, through so many different lands?"[/i]

"Honestly, it's really frustrating," James rubbed his neck, "sometimes it was really exciting, but most times it was just like, you ever keep trying to find someplace, but you're constantly turned around everytime it rains or something?"

[i]"Hmmm..."[/i] Oddclaw scratched his head, [i]"not really, but I do know what you mean."[/i]

"That was the sorta shit I had to deal with for fourteen years, four of which was alright thanks to Koopin and well, helped me a lot, but you know."

[i]"I understand. Was it difficult, without a family?"[/i]

"Well..." James looked up rubbing his chin, "I had one couple that raised me, it didn't go well, not cuz of them they were real nice but other things happened. Then this lady took care of me in a city, it was less like a mother-son thing and more like a boss-worker relationship."

[i]"But you never had a tribe, of your own?"[/i]

"No, nothing like that...least, not until I met Koopin." He walked over logs and bent under branches. "If it wasn't for Koopin I'd be dead, or even worse off than that."

[i]"You love him deeply, I can tell. Thank you for not speaking of him to my mother though."[/i]

"It's fine, I understand, this is about her....woah, this place is gorgeous."

They stepped onto the beach, the sands golden beneath the sun as the soft lapping of waves created a soothing theme that danced through his mind.

"God Koopin would love this place, he's all about the sea."

[i]"It is a good day,"[/i] Oddclaw sighed, [i]"come, there is someone I want you to meet."[/i]

Along the shore they walked as the sand simmered beneath their feet with a rosy heat, tingling through their heels as James sighed with deep breaths and pulled out his camera at least once to capture the beauty unspoilt of the serene beach.

"Damn your world is really beautiful."

[i]"Thank you,"[/i] Oddclaw nodded stepping in front.

"Jacob told us a lot about everything that went on, it sounds kinda crazy."

[i]"It was."[/i]

"...are you alright?" He caught up to his side. "Did I say something wrong?"

[i]"No, you are fine I...well, wait until we find him."[/i]

The father stared curious at his son until Oddclaw stepped up towards a small hill at the end of the beach, far to the southeast tip of the great continent as there stood a sword buried deep into the earth, beside a small raised pillow of recently-disturbed dirt. The sound of the wind came whistling through a small bracelet of fish bones wrapped round the hilt.

[i]"This is my son. The One Who Claws the Sea."[/i]

James' eyes widened as his heart sank.

"That was...the kid you were talking to, right?"

[i]"Yes."[/i]

He sat himself down in front of the grave, inviting his father to join him.

[i]"Hello Seaclaw. I told you grandfather would come."[/i]

"Hi," James waved to the sword, "sorry about being late, been basically telling everyone that all day haha...bet you were never late for dinner or such were ya, good kid like yourself?"

[i]"Hmhmhm, well...a few times he was, such as when he ran off to help an infant from another tribe."[/i]

"Awww, seriously? Well you can't be mad at him for that."

[i]"Hmm..."[/i] he stared with a smile at his son.

"Is that his sword?" James pointed.

[i]"Yes, he learned to fight with it to protect the family."[/i]

"Nice, I learned using a sword too, guess it runs through us."

[i]"Hmhm, he was very good with it. He was the one that stopped Riptor."[/i]

"Damn, how old was he?"

"...eleven," he squinted counting in brief English, "he was eleven."

"Wow...took down a killer at eleven, that makes him a real badass."

James gave a soft clap of respect to the boy as Oddclaw chuckled.

"Man I wish we coulda sparred, he sounded a real fighter."

[i]"He was,"[/i] said Odd, [i]"he was very brave...one of the bravest hunters I had known, much braver than when I was young."[/i]

"Well you got here didn't you?" James rubbed his leg. "You got a family, I'd say that's brave."

[i]"Hah...you would say that."[/i]

The father shrugged with a smirk as Oddclaw began to tell stories of his son, little things he remembered that Seaclaw did, the friends he made and the battles he fought alongside his family. James listened with a smile, asking now and again to keep their attention and to honour the boy as the winds caressed over the blade with a song faintly on the breeze.

[i]"He always loved to make friends,"[/i] continued Odd, [i]"every friend he made was always someone not a hunter, whether it was Chanoch, or Highwave who still comes to see me on the sands."[/i]

"He sounded a real good kid," James nodded, "but that's because he had good parents."

[i]"Do you think so? I think Seaclaw would have always been him, even without me."[/i]

"Maybe, but you kept him safe and home, that's what you did best."

[i]"Yes...alright, we should go."[/i]

They stood up brushing the sand off their legs.

[i]"Goodbye Seaclaw...I will see you tomorrow, alright?"[/i]

"See ya round kid. But, before we go."

James clasped his hands in prayer and closed his eyes.

"Espíritus...acoged a este niño en vuestros brazos. Liberadle de todo su sufrimiento, Para que así pueda correr libre en paz...Amén."

He crossed himself then stepped back much to Oddclaw's confusion.

[i]"What...what was that?"[/i]

"It's...a prayer, from my world," his father turned to him, "whenever a child disappeared we um...said this prayer, so that they wouldn't be lost in the dark. I thought it'd be nice."

[i]"It...it was. Thank you father."[/i]

The son offered his hand as James took it in his.

"Can I...come with you again, when you visit him?"

[i]"Do you want to?"[/i]

"Yeah...I wanted to meet all our family, I promised right?"

[i]"You did. Then you will. Will you tell Jacob that I am alright?"[/i]

"Oh yeah, don't worry..." he rubbed his son's back, "maybe you should get him a gift for his eighteenth birthday, before Roy takes him for his first drink."

[i]"I should, will you bring it to him?"[/i]

"Totally, you got any ideas?"

[i]"Hmmm...I will think of something."[/i]

"Hey, I got an idea!" he tapped his chest. "Why not write him a letter, you can be like pen pals!"

[i]"What, what do you mean?"[/i] he shook his head.

"You can write something down, I'll bring like a pen and paper, you can write something up and I'll deliver it to Jake I'll be like a mailman."

[i]"Oh! That would be great, I would love that!"[/i]

"Alright it's settled, next time I come back, I'll bring you something from Jacob and you get something ready before then."

[i]"I have not scratched stories in cycles...I hope it will be alright."[/i]

"Can't do worse than me."

[i]"Yes, you burned leaves once."[/i]

James stopped dead in his tracks and turned with a slow look.

"Did...did Jacob tell you that?"

[i]"Yeeees?"[/i]

"...oh for fuck's SAKE, it was ONE TIME!" he stomped throwing his hands. "I just wanted to warm it up, it was WET!"

[i]"But why would you burn it?!"[/i] Oddclaw started laughing.

"I JUST, GOD, MY TEETH WERE SORE THAT DAY, I DIDN'T WANNA EAT COLD SALAD!"

[i]"But you do not BURN leaves!"[/i]

"WHY IS EVERYONE GIVING ME SHIT, CUZ I FUCKED UP A SALAD [i]ONE TIME?![/i]"

He screamed through the forest as Oddclaw cackled beside him, ranting with a mock frustration as they walked back to the nest, through the forests of a windswept afternoon with the sounds of the ocean at their back, churning from blue to white across the foaming sands. For the first time in years, the winds were calm as somewhere in the forest, two raptors sat in front of an old jade mantis nestling within a tree.

[i]"The hairlethh told me that, he will never rot."[/i]

[i]"Because he is made of stone yes...that is good."[/i] Barkclaw sniffed at the steel body. [i]"I can see him every day, and say hello."[/i]

[i]"I will thay hello too,"[/i] Oddtooth purred, [i]"I liked him, he taught me tho much about the thmallwingth."[/i]

[i]"But you know about crawlers,"[/i] he nudged him, [i]"you know more about them than me!"[/i]

[i]"Well...I like them, they are tho different, but tho thmall, and live in odd little holeth below the land."[/i]

[i]"I like the smallwings more, but they are fun to watch, crawling around in the dirt, through the poison and eating it! But they never die, they just get stronger, they keep living."[/i]

[i]"Like you!"[/i]

Oddtooth turned to his uncle with a swish of his tail.

[i]You went far with Thtonevoithe, you went through the treeth, and dirty water and up mountainth and you like uncle Oddclaw have been through tho much, but you are here. Becauthe you got thtronger too."[/i]

[i]"I...do you think so?"[/i] he nudged forwards.

[i]"I do. I am proud to have you ath my uncle, Barkclaw."[/i]

Barkclaw shuffled nervous with a little chirp in his throat, almost giggling with something close to a blush. Then he heard something, a crackling of the wood as Oddtooth pricked his ear up in turn to track the source of the noise. They looked towards Stonevoice's body, and peered closer in.

[i]"What ith that?"[/i] whispered Oddtooth.

[i]"It...s-something is...inside him!"[/i]

[i]"Wh-what?!"[/i]

Searching around nearby, Barkclaw picked up a hardened stick and carefully placed it it in a dented crack of the robot's chest, pushing it open with a creak before stepping back.

[i]"I-it...what?"[/i]

[i]"Wh-what...what ARE they?!"[/i]

Inside the mantis' body was a small gathering of soft verdant butterflies skittering from their coccoons. The first catch of sunlight caused them to twitch as they felt the wind beneath their wings, shining like emerald in their eyes.

[i]"Wh-what are...I...I have never seen these before!"[/i]

[i]"M-me neither, how...w-were they inthide him?"[/i]

[i]"They must have...oh, the tree!"[/i] Barkclaw looked up. [i]"They must have came down and laid their eggs in him to keep safe."[/i]

[i]"Becauthe they...knew he would keep them thhafe?"[/i] Oddtooth blinked.

[i]"Yes."[/i] He sighed with a swelling heart. [i]"he would keep them safe. Like he kept all of us safe."[/i]

With a growing breeze they started to fly, spinning off into the trees as they swirled above the raptors' heads. Barkclaw chittered with glee and started laughing along with Oddtooth who watched in awe at the storm of jade that twisted through the leaves. Soon they would scatter and find their new homes with a new freedom from their womb of steel, fluttering far across the woods as one drifted to the shore. A small pair of wings landed upon the hilt of Seaclaw's blade, the one that Stonevoice had held until recently. Shining like emerald, with the sun setting beneath the waves.